On Monday the New England Patriots officially parted ways with WR Julian Edelman after a failed physical which lead to the termination of Edelman's contract. Edelman had one year remaining on his contract with the Patriots. Shortly afterwards the termination of his contract was announced, Edelman himself announced that he is retiring from the NFL officially ending his 12-year career, only playing for the New England Patriots
Drafted in the seventh round (232nd overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft out of Kent State, Edelman was initially drafted as a Quarterback, however at the time the Patriots already had some dude named Tom Brady under center so the reality of the a seventh round pick replacing the 199th overall pick from 2000 and still entering his prime was nothing more than a pipeline dream. However, Bill Belichick did see something from him, so much so that Edelman ended up making the team in 2009, mainly being used as a special teamer while occasionally getting a chance to run routes and catch passes from Brady. Edelman converted from a quarterback to a Wide Receiver as it was the only option he could do in order to salvage some type of career inn the NFL.
In Edelman's first four seasons in the NFL he was only targeted a total of 109 times catching 69 of them for a total of four touchdowns. At the time, 2009 was the most times he was targeted and caught passes, the following three season, he playing on the field was cut down significantly as he was used mostly on special teams. It wasn't until 2013 were Edelman finally got his chance to become a top target for Brady under the Josh McDaniels play scheme and he made the most of it for sure. In 2013, which was Edelman's breakout season, he caught 105 passes on 151 targets collecting 1,056 yards while fining the end zone six times. Edelman proved to be many things in the eyes of Patriot fans, a clear cut fan favorite next to Brady and Rob Gronkowski. However to Brady, he quickly became a top target and the {patriots clear cur number one receiver.
In 2014, Edelman healed lead the charge for the Patriots to a 12-4 season and on their way to a victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVI to claim the Patriots fourth Lombardi Trophy (first in a decade) and his first career championship. Edelman lost much of the 2015 campaign due to injury as he was limited to just nine games during the regular season. Edelman came back strong in 2016 catching 98 passes on 159 targets. On his way to second career 1,000 yard season (1,106 receiving yards) while finding the end zone only three times. By then he moved into the slot position, a position in which he made his career in. Edelman made on of the most incredible catches in Super Bowl history as he caught the ball six inches fo0rm the ground in Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons, a game in which the Patriots overcame a 25-point deficit. Edelman had zero clue that they won the game until Belichick told him that they reviewed it and it was confirmed. Edelman won his second career championship, the team's fifth overall.
Edelman missed the entire 2017 season due to an ACL tear, that occurred in Week three of the preseason against the Detroit Lions. Edelman was missed but others did pick up the slack as the Patriots still went on to the Super Bowl only to lose to the Philadelphia Eagles. Edelman was suspended the first four games of the 2018 season due to testing positive for performance and enhancing drugs while rehabbing from his injury. As it turns out good friend Roger Goodell only did him a favor as in 12 games Edelman still compiled a great season catching 74 passes on 108 targets, collecting 850 receiving yards and finding the end zone six times. Edelman helped lead the Patriots to Super Bowl LIII a game in which both offenses were low-key awful but Edelman still had himself a game catching 10 passes for 141 yards, earning Super Bowl MVP honors and his third championship.
In 2019 his final healthy season, Edelman collected in 1,000 yards receiving season, collecting a total 0f 1,117 yards, catching 100 passes on 153 targets and six touchdowns. Edelman also threw for his only career passing touchdown in a game against the Eagles, he found Patriots WR N'Keal Harry in the end zone. 2020, Edelman battled more knee injuries, he only played six games for the Patriots 21 passes from Cam Newton for just 312 yards, and Edelman missed the remainder of the season.
There were reports last week that Edelman might not play the full season due to his continuing knee issues, however, on Monday after the failed physical, it seemed to be the final nail in the coffin, not just on his Patriots career, but his NFL career as a whole.
That didn't stop social media from having a little bit of fun saying that Edelman would "pass" his physical with the Buccaneers and reunite with both Brady and Gronk. Although that probably wouldn't have surprised anyone, it's not happening as the former Super Bowl MVP is calling it a career.
Edelman might not get into Canton, Ohio, even though his resume is pretty impressive, he certainly will be remembered as a star in New England and will end up in the Patriot Hall of Fame on day.
According to ESPN and CBS Sports: Edelman announced on social media that he is indeed retiring from the NFL following the termination of his contract. The termination was shocking but shouldn't be surprising as it wasn't likely that Edelman would've been able to play the entire season, if at all. The move does give the Patriots some extra cap space to play with for the remainder of the offseason, sorry Pats fans still not nearly enough to land Jimmy G here or any other high profile Quarterback that's around the NFL who could be on the move around this time next season.
We here at the Fans Only Sports Network want to say congratulations to the three time Super Bowl Champion Julian Edelman on a fantastic career and thank you for all memories the wonderful years for dawning a Patriots uniform!